Printer&#39;s rule



J.HARGRAVES ,PRINTER Dean 4; 1934.

S RULE Filed Oct. '7, 1932 (NVENTDR ArraR/VE y Patented Dec. 4-, 1934 v UNITED STAES Application October 7,. 1932, Serial No. 636,754. In the Union of South Africa November 4,

The present invention relates to apparatus for cutting shallow slots in a forme of type for the purpose of receiving rules by the aid of which tabular print is produced; such apparatus comprising rotary slotting means; a chase adapted to hold a forme of type; a guide constraining the chase for rectilinear movement transversely to the axis of the slotting means, whereby the latter slots the forme; and means to adjust the Chase towards and from the axis of the slotting means in order to regulate the depth of the out.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus adapted to produce a number of such slots all of the same adjustable depth, thus ensuring that the rules are accurately positioned type high. A further object is to provide for the forme to be rapidly dropped in order that it be fed past the slotting means without being cut.

According to the invention, apparatus as described is provided with a single rotary slotting tool, having means to position it at different points along its axis. In this way a number of parallel slots can be cut all of which are of equal depth so that rules of standardized height placed in them are all accurately type high.

According further to the invention, the apparatus comprises a fixed frame on which is mounted an adjustable frame providing guides which constrain the chase for the rectilinear movement past the slotting means; said adjustable frame being adjustable parallel with itself towards and from the tool axis in order to regulate the depth of the slotting. The adjustable frame is preferably secured to the fixed frame by a connection minutely adjustable to vary the relative positions of the frames; and said connection may be releasable to permit the adjustable frame to be rapidly lowered in order that it may be fed past the slotting tool without being cut thereby. The 40" adjustable frame may be supported on the main frame by means of a number of parallel inclined surfaces, the aforesaid adjustable connection being arranged to move the adjustable frame along the main frame whereby it travels up or down the inclined surfaces.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. I shows a forme made up of linotype slugs.

Fig. II shows a rule.

Fig. III shows a machine for slotting the forme.

Fig. IV is an enlarged section of the saw mechanism.

Fig. V is a longitudinal section through the frame of the machine.

In ying out the invention in the manner 3 Claims. (01. 90-16) illustrated the matter to beprinted is produced as a number of line slugs 2, which are assembled as a forme in the usual manner. The slugs are produced with spaces 3 such that when the forme is assembled, the spaces of the several slugs are alined vertically, producing continuous vertical spaces 3 at'the positions where the rules are to be.

The several vertical spaces are then traversed by a saw or other appropriate cutting tool to fo m the shallow slots 4. Rules 5 (Fig. II) are prepared from type metal and of shallow depth corresponding to the slots so that'when inserted into the slots as. indicated at 5 Fig. I, their printing faces 6 are type high. The forme is then ready foruse. I

Fig. III shows a machine for slotting the formes. '7 is a fixed base plate which carries a guide frame comprising longitudinal rails 8 and end members 9. 10 is a chase in which the forme is locked. Said chase is provided with grooved slippers 11 which seat on the rails 8, permitting the chase to be slid along the rails while being constrained thereby for rectilinear movement. Standards 12 rising from the base '7 carry a saw spindle 13 above the chase and. transverse to the direction of movement thereof. Said spindle is rotated by such means as a belt pulley 14 and carries a sleeve 15 to which is secured a circular saw 16. The sleeve is feathered to the spindle so that it is rotated thereby but is free to slide along the spindle. It is adjusted to desired positions along the spindle by means of the member 1'? which engages its hub 18 by means of a claw l9. Said member is slidable on a bar 20 parallel with the saw spindle and is clamped at desired positions thereon by means of a set screw 21. The member provides a guard 22 around the saw.

The guide frame 8, 9 is adjustable parallel with itself toward and from the saw for the purpose of regulating the depth of the slots 4 as may be necessary for instance after the saw has been sharpened. With this object its side members 8 are carried in vertical grooves 23 in the base frame. They are also formed with two or more pairs of inclined surfaces 24 resting on pins 25 fixed to the base '7. A bolt 26 carried by the base member engages a nut 27 rotatably engaged by means of opposite shoulders 28 in a vertical slot 29 in the end frame member 9. By rotation of said nut, the guide frame is moved back or forth over the pins 25, so varying its height relatively to the saw.

In operation, the forme is locked up in the chase it), the latter is placed on the rails 8 and slid up near to the saw. The saw is adjusted into the line of one of the vertical spaces 3, the saw is started and the chase is pushed towards the saw to cause the latter to cut a slot 4 along the vertical space. The chase is then drawn back, the saw is adjusted along its spindle to another vertical space and the operation is repeated. The chase is then removed from the cutting machine. The rules having been previously prepared are cut to length if necessary, and are pressed into the slots.

The frame 8, 9, can also be fully lowered rapidly to permit the forme to pass under the saw without being cut thereby, so that for example, rule slots can be cut in the central area of the forme without continuing the cut to the edges thereof. For this purpose the bolt 26 is held in its normal position in the base member '7 by a spring detent 30. By pushing frame 8, 9 forward, the bolt releases itself from said detent, enabling the frame to be fully lowered. Spring buffers 31 may be provided to limit such movement of the frame 8, 9 and to minimize shock in stopping it. The chase 10 is then slid into position for the start of the cut; then raised while the saw is rotating, by drawing the frame 8, 9 back sothat the bolt 26 is again retained by its detent 30. The chase is then slid on the rails 8 as far as necessary to make the required length of slot, and the bolt is again released to permit the chase to be moved. If the chase is retracted smartly it strikes on the end member 9 of the guide frame so ensuring that said member is brought back to the position with the bolt retained by the detent.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for cutting slots in a type forme for the insertion of rules, comprising a rotary shaft, means for rotating it, a single rotary slotting tool slidably mounted on the shaft, means for clamping the tool in desired positions on the shaft, a chase adapted to hold the forme, and means for guiding the chase for movement in a rectilinear path transverse to the shaft so that the tool cuts shallow slots in the forme.

2. Apparatus for cutting slots in a type forme, comprising a fixed frame rotary cutting means mounted on said fixed frame, a second frame and guides on said second frame adapted to support and guide a forme-carrying chase for slotting movement past the cutting means, said second frame being mounted on first frame so as to be adjustable parallel with itself towards and from the cutting means, and means connecting said frames and minutely adjustable to vary the relative positions of the frames, said means being releasable to permit rapid variation of the relative positions of the frames to be effected manually.

3. Apparatus for cutting slots in a type forme, comprising a fixed frame, rotary cutting means mounted on said fixed frame, a second frame, said frames providing co-operative inclined surfaces whereby relative sliding movement of the frames alters the distance of the second frame relatively to the cutting means, means connecting the frames and operative to effect minute relative sliding movement of the frames, said connecting means also being releasable to permit free manual sliding of the frames.

JOHN HARGRAVES. 

